Cheaper than train fares: SpiceJet's domestic tickets at Rs 599

Travelling by air is now cheaper than a train ride. Budget carrier SpiceJet on Wednesday launched its “Cheaper Than Train Fares” sale offering all-inclusive domestic fares starting at Rs 599 and Rs 3,499 for international flights.

Travelling by air is now cheaper than a train ride. Budget carrier SpiceJet on Wednesday launched its “Cheaper Than Train Fares” sale offering all-inclusive domestic fares starting at Rs 599 and Rs 3,499 for international flights.

The Gurgaon-based airline has put a total of four lakh seats on sale, of which 1 lakh are on offer for Rs 599 each.

The bookings can be made till February 13 for travel between July 1 and October 24, 2015.

“This offer is available for international flights (except Colombo, Kabul and Dubai-Ahmedabad-Dubai sectors), at fares starting at just Rs 3,499 all-in,” the airline said.

“We are thrilled to continue to make air travel more affordable and accessible for more Indians than ever before, with our new unbelievable offer: the ‘Cheaper Than Train Fares’ sale,” said Kaneswaran Avili, chief commercial officer, SpiceJet Ltd.

“Fares for this offer are lower than AC train fares on many routes, and cheaper than non-AC sleeper class trains on several routes. And this time we are including most of our international flights in this offer too,” he said.

“At SpiceJet we believe that flying empty seats, which are the ultimate perishable commodity, is a crime, and the best way to fill seats that would otherwise go empty is to sell them well in advance at highly attractive rates, often lower than train fares, to those who are willing to plan and book early in exchange for fantastic deals," said Sanjiv Kapoor, chief operating officer, SpiceJet Ltd.

“These are seats that would otherwise go empty and be lost forever, and are priced based on the marginal cost of carrying an extra passenger, not on the average cost. Revenues from such offers contribute incremental revenue for the airline that flows directly to the bottom line," he added.